Two Simple ways to preserve those beautiful fall leaves for your home decor
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It's such a beautiful time of year and it's the season to bring a little bit of the outside in to enhance your home decor - Gathering pinecones, twigs, branches and of course those magnificent leaves to add some seasonal and natural color to our homes. The problem with the beautiful leaves is that after picked they quickly begin to lose their vibrant color and moisture. Below are 3 simple ways that you can extend the life and color of these leaves.
Glycerin
Glycerin will preserve your leaves in a manner that leaves them fairly pliable. This preserving method works because the natural moisture found in the leaves is replaced by the glycerin solution. This allows the leaves to keep their texture and shape.
To do this you will need:
Glycerin
Water
Flat pan or rimmed baking sheet
A weight or something to keep leaves submerged
Leaves
Mix one part glycerin to two parts water. You will need roughly a cup-full; just enough to fully cover the leaves.
Pour your glycerine solution into a flat pan, then place the leaves in the the pan, gently moving the solution over and around the leaves. You will need to weigh down the leaves to in order to keep them submerged. This can be done by placing another baking sheet or a couple of plates on top of the leaves. The leaves should remain submerged in the solution for about 48 hours. .
When you are ready to remove the leaves, dry them gently with a dish towel or paper towel - They should be soft and pliable. If you don't think they're pliable enough place them back into the solution, checking every 12 hours.
Dry the leaves gently with a paper towel. They should feel soft and pliable.
Wax Paper
This may be the most popular way of preserving leaves.
You will need:
Leaves
Wax paper
Thin towel or paper
Iron and ironing board
Place a leaf between two pieces of wax paper and place a towel over the wax paper
Gently iron the towel to seal the wax sheets together.
This should take about 2-5 minutes on each side, depending on how moist the leaf is.
When one side is done, flip the leaf over and repeat the process on the other side.
Carefully cut around the leaf, leaving a small margin of wax paper to ensure that it will stay sealed.
You can also peel the wax paper off the leaves, leaving a coat of wax behind to protect the leaves. Try this on one leaf first to see if this method works for you.